Everything You Need to Know About Makeup Primers For Lips, Eyes & Face

Every time we wear makeup, we’re telling the world a story about ourselves. Not to get all philosophical on you, but the face we present to the world really does say a lot about us—how we feel, how we play, and maybe even a peek into hidden parts of our personality. But every good story start with setting the scene, and makeup is no exception. That’s why primer is key, not just for your foundation, but for smooth application of your lipstick, eye shadow, mascara and even eyebrows. Read on see why primer is the most important step in your makeup routine and which ones our editors recommend.

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Color-Correcting Primer

Though it may sound like it, color-correcting primer is far from some futuristic fix-it magic. Applied correctly, color-correcting makeup can deliver amazing real life results like redness control, blurring of fine lines, and even a little glow amplification. Okay, we guess it is pretty futuristic and magical. This primer is one small step of preparation, but one giant leap towards perfect foundation application.

This is probably as close to actual time travel as you’ll come in your lifetime. Typically containing light-reflecting particles, a good blurring primer can mattify your skin, help hide fine lines and give off the appearance of smoother, younger-looking skin. Just spread a dime size amount over entire face and follow with makeup as usual—or wear alone for a radiant, but shine-free glow.

Life is too short to accept anything less than flawless foundation. But perfection takes a little preparation. Take a note from the industry pros and check out a product like the Lancôme La Base Pro, which helps to refine your skin’s texture by diffusing light, reduces the appearance of fine lines and imperfections, keeps your makeup color true to its hue, and leaves your skin with a satiny-soft finish.

We’re all guilty of doing it—stealing glances of our lips in rearview mirrors, shop windows, and even our phone cameras. Lipstick smudging anxiety is real. But with a little primer, you can move worrying about reapplying lipstick from a reality that hits home to the land of distant memories. A simple application of lip primer can set you up for long-lasting color, great texture, and all day lipstick success.

Eyeshadow is great for adding a veil of mystery to any makeup look, but when the eye shadow starts to crease, it can quickly take a look from mysterious to misguided. That isn’t something you should ever have to worry about again. With a solid eye shadow primer, your smoky eye will remain smoky all evening long—no creasing, no flakes, no fallout. Let’s just say it’ll be smooth (eye shadow) sailing from here.

Easy to overlook, but nonetheless essential, brow primer can help you achieve a fuller brow look without needing to use a million layers of powder or gel. The NYX Proof It! Waterproof Eyebrow Primer protects against rain and whatever else the day might throw at you, so that your brows stay set, and you don’t have to worry about them sprouting legs, and running away from you.

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Mascara Primer

There are at least two things in life that should never be flakey: friends and mascara. If the latter is a challenge for you, the solve is pretty easy. Try a mascara primer, which not only makes for longer, fuller lashes and extends the wear of your mascara, but can actually protect, moisturize and condition to promote healthy lashes. Lancôme Cils Booster XL is a good option here. And if you’ve got flakey friends, forward them this part of the article and maybe they’ll take a hint?